DIY Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto (+ Itinerary)
- Shal & James
- Sep 12
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 17
If you’re dreaming of vineyards, river cruises, and port tastings, a DIY Douro Valley day trip from Porto is the perfect way to pack it all in.
The UNESCO-listed Douro Valley is hands-down one of the most breathtaking day trips you can take from Porto, Portugal—rolling vineyards, terraced hillsides, and the birthplace of Portugal’s world-famous port wine. Just a couple of hours from the city, it’s an easy escape into postcard-worthy scenery and wine country bliss. Read on to learn how to plan a DIY Douro adventure like we did, or click here if you’d rather kick back and let an organised (small group) tour handle the details.
CONTENTS
We’ve included opening hours, prices with currency conversions based on current exchange rates, and what we paid to help with planning—but things can change (things to do, hotels, the lot), so it’s always worth double checking to dodge any last-minute surprises.
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6 BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE DOURO VALLEY
Things to do on a DIY Douro Valley day trip from Porto in order of photos above.
1) PROVESENDE
24/7
Free
Tucked away in the sleepy hilltop village of Provesende—where just a handful of cobbled streets wind past stone houses and flower-boxed balconies—Café O Arado Museu (daily 8AM - 10PM) is a delightful step back in time. Part café, part curiosity cabinet, its walls are crammed with old farming tools, rustic kitchenware, and quirky gourds. If you’ve braved the winding drive into the Douro, a pit stop is inevitable—Provesende’s lone café is your only option.
Just around the corner sits the village church, Igreja Matriz de Provesende, an unassuming exterior that hides a gem inside—its unusual 18th century painted wooden ceiling.
2) MIRADOURO CASAL DE LOIVOS
24/7
Free
From the village of Casal de Loivos, this viewpoint delivers sweeping views over the Douro Valley and the town of Pinhão—the best panorama we found on our road trip. The drive up is steep and parking a manual on a hill is a nail-biter, but absolutely worth it.
3) PINHAO RAILWAY STATION
24/7
Free
The Pinhão train station isn’t just a place to catch a ride—it’s a destination in its own right. Built in the 19th century, the station helped transform Pinhão from a sleepy riverside village into the beating heart of the Douro Valley once the railway arrived in 1880. What makes it truly unmissable, though, are the 24 blue-and-white tile panels added in 1937, designed by artist J. Oliveira and crafted at the famous Aleluia factory in Aveiro. Wrapping around nearly every wall, they tell the story of Port wine production, from the grape harvest and foot-treading in stone lagares to the rabelo boats carrying barrels downstream to Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto. Studying the scenes feels like stepping into a time machine—some traditions live on, but many details capture a Douro way of life that has long since vanished.
4) DOURO RIVER CRUISE
1-hour long cruises departing at 10:30AM, 12PM, 2PM, 3:30PM, 5PM & 6:30PM (fewer times available during winter months)
€17pp; converted: £14 / US$19.30
There’s no shortage of Douro river cruises, but we fell for the small-group Pinhão: Douro River Solar Boat Tour with Wine Tasting. The boat glides silently along the valley, so you can really soak up the scenery, while the friendly guides (switching effortlessly between Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish) keep things lively. The comfiest seats with the best views are at the back of the boat, so try to hop on early to snag them. One small heads-up: the wines poured aren’t Port—but honestly, that’s hardly a tragedy when you’ll be swimming in Port tastings everywhere else.
5) PORT TASTING AT QUINTA DO BOMFIM
1 Mar - 31 Oct: Daily 10AM - 7PM; last visit 5:30PM
1 Nov - 28 Feb: Daily 9:30AM - 6:30PM; last visit 5PM
From €30 pp; converted: £26 / US$35
There are over 200 quintas (wine estates) in the Douro Valley, but only around 16–20 are well-known for tours and tastings. We picked Quinta do Bomfim, still family-owned by the 4th and 5th generation since its 19th-century founding, and producers of Graham’s Port—the very same we enjoy back home in London. (Fun fact: they also own Dow’s, Warre’s, and Cockburn’s!)
The €30pp tour and classic tasting did not disappoint, set in a gorgeous room with sweeping vineyard views and a terrace perfect for lingering. We also took the short estate walk and frolicked in the vines ourselves. The tastings were generous—so if you’re driving, pace yourself…Shal heroically finished hers and half of James’ since he was driving! Be sure to book in advance, or you risk missing out on this Douro gem.
6) MIRADOURO SAO LEONARDO DE GALAFURA
24/7
Free
The weather had been perfect all day, but by the time we reached this viewpoint, it had turned windy and drizzly—still, the view was absolutely worth it. There are public toilets here, but fair warning: they’re not for the faint-hearted, crawling with tiny little bugs!
BEST RESTAURANTS IN PINHAO, DOURO VALLEY
We’ll give it to you straight—no restaurant in Pinhão, Douro Valley has flawless reviews. Picking a spot is tricky, with opinions swinging between “better than sliced bread” and “total rip-off.” For that reason, we didn’t splurge, but if we were going to, it would probably have been Bomfim 1896, especially since we were visiting the quinta after lunch anyway.
RUFETE
We grabbed lunch at a truly local spot near the Pinhão train station after our river cruise nearby. Portions are generous, so come hungry—and the prices make it great value. We went with the waitress’s recommendation—slow-cooked pork cheeks—which was delicious in a hearty, home-cooked, no-frills kind of way. The veg had that slightly frozen/canned vibe, which wasn’t our favourite, but overall it made for a solid, quick meal. Heads-up: Rufete is only open for lunch from 12–3 PM and closed on Thursdays.
BOMFIM 1896
f you’re after something elegant and refined, consider the highly rated Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos, a Michelin-starred chef. With sweeping views over Quinta do Bomfim’s vineyards, it’s hard to resist——plus, it fits perfectly after a tour and tasting at the estate if you’re mindful of logistics. Just plan ahead, as it’s only open Tue–Sat, 12:30–3 PM and 7–9 PM. This can fit perfectly with a tour and tasting at Quinta do Bomfim's vineyards if you're worried about logistics.
CASA DO ARCO RESTAURANTE
An intriguing dining experience with just four tables seating four guests each, Casa Do Arco Restaurante offers set menus and stunning vineyard views. Most reviews rave about it, but be prepared to splurge on the set menu and allow plenty of time for the experience. If you’re thinking of staying nearby, it seems this could also make a charming overnight option.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE DOURO VALLEY?
The Douro Valley is at its best in spring (April–June) or autumn (September–November). We visited in late June—it was hot, but we still loved it. Spring brings lush greenery and blossoming trees, perfect for walks or cycling, while autumn dazzles with grape harvests, vibrant colours, and festive wine-tasting events at the quintas. Summer can be scorchingly hot, and winters are cold and rainy, so plan accordingly—though wine lovers will find early autumn truly magical.
STEAL OUR DIY DOURO VALLEY DAY TRIP ITINERARY
For all the juicy details for each sight—think entry fees, opening times, and our recommendations—return to the section 6 Best Things to Do in the Douro Valley. It’s all there, neatly bundled and ready to make your planning a breeze.
8:30AM Rental car pick-up from Movida Drive on Holidays via Zest in Porto
10:15AM Explore Provesende village and church; grab a coffee at the cafe
11AM Miradouro Casal de Loivos (viewpoint)
11:25AM Admire the tiles at Pinhão Railway Station
11:50AM (12PM departure) 1-hour Douro River cruise (arrive 5-10 mins early)
1:15PM Lunch at Rufete
2:30PM Tour and wine tasting at Quinta do Bomfim
5PM Miradouro de Sao Leonardo de Galafura
7PM Return rental car
HOW TO GET TO THE DOURO VALLEY FROM PORTO
There are a few ways to get from Porto to the Douro Valley. For a DIY adventure, you can hop on the scenic train from São Bento to Peso da Régua, Pinhão, or Pocinho—or rent a car for ultimate flexibility to explore at your own pace. We went with a rental through Movida Drive on Holidays in Porto via Zest and had a completely seamless, hassle-free experience. While Pinhão is walkable, we would have missed gems like Provesende and the viewpoints if we hadn’t been behind the wheel.
Of course, we totally get that navigating winding roads in a foreign country isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re worried about missing out, a private or small-group tour is a great way to see it all without the stress.
HOW TO GET AROUND THE DOURO VALLEY
Peso da Régua and Pinhão are tiny towns, easy to navigate on foot. We wandered around Pinhão easily, walking between the train station, the river cruise departure point, lunch, and our tour and tasting at Quinta do Bomfim. If you want to reach quintas further afield or those stunning viewpoints, taxis are an option—but a car or a guided tour will give you far more freedom and reliability.
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